Pastor’s Blog May 2011
When the world is changing their perception concerning the coming of the Lord, has the church lost its vigilance in recognizing the signs of the “End Time”. Is the church still progressing with great resolve by all accounts, or have we digressed in our passion for the Lords imminent return. Is the church growing and developing into spiritual maturity, or are we remaining as “little children” still in need of bearing the traits of “love” that would define us as being disciples of Jesus.
Consider this if you would, there is a reason of why at least some poor countries remain impoverished and underdeveloped. Countries in this condition have not made a smooth progression from where they are to where they would be when rich. To move from mining to the manufacturing of silicon chips for computers require simultaneous investments in education, transport infrastructure, electricity, and many other things. For private sectors to bridge the gap between an impoverished society and one of productivity, may be too wide and vast without the help of the government.
Stop for a moment and think of the many things that God has desired to give us individually and collectively that we have failed to make the progression necessary in order for it to develop into its intended purpose.
The great inventor of all times, Thomas A. Edison, was talking one day with the governor of North Carolina, and the governor complimented him on his inventions. It was after that Edison spoke these words “I am not a great inventor”. “About the only invention I can really claim as absolutely original is the phonograph”. “I guess I’m an awfully good sponge. I absorb ideas from every source I can and put them to practical use. Then I improve them until they become of some value. The ideas which I use are mostly the ideas of other people who don’t develop them themselves”.
I believe the greatest hindrance to the Church is to fail in developing our lives by having the right MINDSET and the right MESSAGE
A right MINDSET is necessary for the following reasons; your thinking gives DEFINITION as Solomon describes in Proverbs 23:7; Thinking must be DISCIPLINED as Paul said in Romans 12:2, people who never develop spiritually have never obtained a right mindset; Thinking right is our DUTY 2 Cor. 10:5; Thinking right is DEVINE Phil 3:12, 4:8.
A right MESSAGE is necessary to develop our lives.
In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus tells a parable that compares and contrasts two builders: one wise and one foolish. He emphasizes how critical it is to have a strong foundation. The use of a building metaphor should not surprise us; Jesus was a carpenter. In the verses that follow, Jesus provides two options for building your life.
OPTION 1: Develop Your Life on a DOCTRINAL Foundation (7:24–25). Jesus says, “The only way to build a strong foundation is by obeying His words.” He begins His parable in 7:24 with the word “therefore,” which looks back to the entire Sermon on the Mount. In light of His teachings, Jesus says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
OPTION 2: Destroy your life on the DEFECTIVE foundation (7:26–27). Jesus modifies His previous parable and applies it negatively to those who refuse to obey His words. In 7:26 He says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” The opposite of a wise man is a foolish man. The Greek word for “foolish” is moros. I don’t need to tell you what this word means in either Greek or English. A person who disregards Jesus’ words is called a moron. He didn’t build on the rock of Jesus’ words! Who or what is your foundation? If it isn’t Jesus Christ, make sure He is today.
Why did the foolish man fail to progress his foundation beyond the sand? Perhaps he failed to perceive the tell tale signs that were before him and as a result he miscalculated the weather. He thought every day was going to be remaining sunshine. He thought his life was always going to stay the same. So he figured a sand dune would do as a foundation and failed to develop his home on a true stability.
My friends it takes more cost, energy, time and work to build on the rock. Perhaps it is much easier to go with the popular opinion and maintain a superficial faith. My friends, most of the time, one can rarely tell the difference of a truly DEVELOPED LIFE until the storm begins to blow. But, do want to know a little something? The world is looking around at the storms that are raging and now they are starting to question the “Sandman Contractors” concept. I have heard them say concerning the events happening; “It is almost like the end of the world”.